He was the one to followHe was the only leader foreseeing brighter tomorrowsHe would live in the gymWe was living in sorrowTotal envy of himHe made a dream become a realityActually making it possible to swim

Lyric Meaning

Growing up in the hood, the typical routes out are rap or ball. So Kendrick is saying early on, he idolized basketball player Arron Afflalo since he made it out.